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Game Notes: Nov. 9 vs. Chicago

by
Dan O'Neill
/ St. Louis Blues

Matchup

The Blues and Blackhawks are meeting for the first time since opening night, when the Blues beat the Hawks 5-2 at United Center. The Blues' margin of victory that night was their most against the Hawks since they beat them 5-1 on March 6, 2012. Overall, the Blues have won four of their last six and seven of their last 10 against the Hawks, including the postseason. St. Louis has been very successful in regular season Central Division play since last season. They have gone a combined 22-8-5 against their division rivals, including 9-1-0 over their last 10.

What to Watch

Look for a tight game. Excluding empty-net goals, each of the last 14 games between the Blues and Blackhawks at Scottrade Center have been decided by one goal (including postseason). The combined score over that span is an even 38-38, not including shootout goals. Vladimir Tarasenko has been the most dynamic player in this series of late. He's tallied a league-most 11 goals against the Hawks over the past two seasons, including the postseason.

Milestones

Jay Bouwmeester - 4 shy of 300 career assists

Alexander Steen - 1 shy of 200 career goals

Ryan Reaves - 2 shy of 600 career PIM

Vladimir Tarasenko - 6 shy of 100 career PIM

Jori Lehtera - 6 shy of 100 career PIM

Quick Hits

The Blues have allowed 2 or fewer goals in 6 of 7 home games this season. Including the postseason, they are 31-1-2 since the beginning of last season when allowing 2 or fewer goals at home

Alexander Steen served a career-high 17 PIM on Sunday vs. the Avs, including a fight with Andreas Martinsen and a game misconduct

The Blues have won six of their last seven games that have ended in overtime

Last Sunday was the first time that Kevin Shattenkirk has combined 3 points and a +4 rating in a game in his career

Colton Parayko has played north of 24 minutes in 2 of his last 3 games, including a regulation career-high 24:31 at Dallas last Thursday

St. Louis has killed 28 of 29 power plays they've faced at home this season

Top Home PK% (min 20 times shorthanded)

St. Louis, 96.6%Montreal, 89.3%Dallas, 88.5%

50th Anniversary Throwback Note

On this day in 1996, Craig MacTavish scored the final goal in NHL history by a player without a helmet, in the Blues' 3-2 win in Calgary.